Put A Pumpkin On It

Posted on by Mandy

Last weekend E.B. and I were doing our weekly shopping at a local grocery store and I saw what I thought was an “ok” wreath for our door for Fall.  My very favorite wreath is still in storage and I have been lazy about going out to get our Fall décor, so I thought I would just buy a new one instead. 

One thing about wreaths?  I looove a wreath with berries on it.  I do not know what my obsession with those little berries is about, but I just loved how this wreath had seasonal berries.

I was excited about my purchase until I got it home, was unpacking our bags, and saw it sitting on the table.

 

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Do you SEE the tacky amount of GLUE on this wreath?  I cannot believe I came home with this wreath and never noticed this in the store!  It was all around the wreath and very noticeable when hanging on the door.

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So, I really thought about taking it back and getting my money back, but then I had a moment of inspiration.  A few days earlier I had retrieved a piece of our fall décor from my parent’s storage room (yes, I store things all over the place, it would seem) and noticed the wreath would fit perfectly around it!

So, I “put a pumpkin on it”, and the ugly glue is no longer visible.

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And I’m pretty happy with the results.

 

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World Almanac For Kids 2013

Posted on by Mandy

My students love reference books. They especially love almanacs and world record books.  I have a set of reference books in my library that the kids love to read and I was so excited to get a chance to review the World Almanac For Kids 2013 and add it to our library.

world almanac for kids

The minute I showed my students this new book, there were immediate squeals of excitement and requests to “look at it first”!  The cover is very visually appealing for kids, and includes faces they’ll recognize, like Justin Bieber, Peyton Manning, and a scene from The Hunger Games.

 

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So, what’s inside this wonderful book?  Facts on everything, from notable people, places, and events, including:

· Faces and Places: Full pages of vivid photographs showcase the year’s most talked-about events in movies, music, sports, news, and much more.

 

· Animals: This section includes brand-new features on zoos, animals at work, and preventing species extinction. Readers can also explore animals on a scientific level—from endangered species to the biggest, smallest, fastest, and even grossest creatures in the world.

 

· Energy and Environment:  Learn more about the energy used every day, from diesel engines and hybrid cars, to nuclear energy and the definition of “fracking.” Key issues are illuminated by features on oceans, biomes, and climate change, while the “Living Green” section shows how small, practical changes can make a big difference.

 

· Fashion:  Side-by-side with today’s biggest trends, a brand-new feature on fashion,“Blasts from the Past,” makes even the biggest fashionistas grateful for today’s simple jeans and T-shirts. The section also reveals what it’s really like to work in the fashion industry day-to-day and includes profiles of renowned fashion designers.

 

· Games: Check out the best-selling video games of all time as well as today’s top sellers, and get a sneak preview of the latest installments of some old favorites.

 

· Homework Help: From easy Internet research guides to quick tips for test preparation, The World Almanac® for Kids is a go-to source that helps students get to the head of the class.

 

· Money: Take a look at what’s new inU.S.and world currency, including how currency designers are outsmarting today’s counterfeiters. Also find out information about the world’s youngest billionaires and how they made their fortunes.

 

· Movies and TV: A brand-new“Viral Video Stars” feature covers today’s most popular online shows and personalities. The section also features fun facts about this year’s most popular movies and TV shows, plus a close-up look at what’s coming up next.

 

· Music and Dance: Get the inside scoop on Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, and more of 2012’s hottest acts including the latest winners of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Then, find out about the origins of popular dances, from ballet to tango to step-dancing.

 

· Nations: The World Almanac® for Kids 2013 boasts up-to-date details about the world’s newest nation,South Sudan. Meanwhile, interesting trivia about every country makes the world feel a little smaller, alongside maps and flags of more than 190 nations!

 

· Population: Learn about the changing face of theUnited States with brand-new information on where Americans come from, including new features on Asian and Hispanic Americans. Also, take a global look at population growth and the world’s mega-cities.

 

· Sports: From Super Bowl Sunday and the Final Four to the NBA Finals and the Indy 500, get information on kids’ favorite teams, pro athletes, and sports. This edition also includes expanded auto racing and soccer coverage, as well as fun facts about the Olympic Games.

 

· Technology and Computers: The World Almanac®for Kids gives great advice on the best ways to avoid cyberbullying and stay safe online. Kids can also pick up quick tips for taking advantage of cloud computing.

 

· United States: New features on subjects from presidential trivia to the 2012 election complement the latest information about the 50 states, while brand-new timelines demonstrate key events in American history.

This books really does cover everything kids are interested in and is a fantastic choice for the reluctant reader.  I can honestly say that our review copy is very worn looking now, but that’s a great thing because I know it’s being read.  Looks like I will have to order a few more copies for the library!

 

BUY IT:

The World Almanac For Kids 2013 is available from www.worldalmanac.com

 

I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  all opinions are my own.

Send Your Child A Letter From Santa

Posted on by Mandy

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Last year I used Portable North Pole to create a video letter from Santa for my son.  He absolutely loved it and still talks about it!  I wish I had a video recording of his facial expressions while Santa was checking to see if he was on the “naughty” or “nice” list.  It is a funny memory I will always treasure.  This year, the site also offers personalized birthday video messages from Santa!  I just created one of these for my son and, although I will have to wait a few more months to show him, I know he will be excited to see this one as well.

What makes these videos so unique is that Santa calls your child by name, assuring that he has their attention!  You can even upload a photo of your child to be included in the video.  Here’s a sample video below:

With the holidays approaching, now is a great time to check out Portable North Pole for a personalized greeting from Santa that your children will treasure.

This is a sponsored post from Portable North Pole. All opinions are my own.